Envelope



Patented Oct. 6, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICEl ApplicationSeptember 1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in envelopes ofthe type comprising a wall having means therein to facilitate operiingthe envelope to remove its contents.

An object of the present invention is to provide an envelope havingscore marks or rows of perforations, or both, in a wall thereofextending crosswise of the envelope, and said rows of bperforations orscore marks `forming weakening lines which are arranged atl a slightincline with respect to one another, whereby the portion of the paperlying between said weakening lines may readily be removed by tearing thepaper along said lines to thereby open the envelope.

A further object is to provide an envelope having rows of perforationsin its front wall adjacent one end thereof. and said rows ofperforations being angularly disposed with respect to one another,whereby they are spaced relatively closer together atl one edge of theenvelope than at the opposite edge thereof, and arcuately formed slitsextending from one end to each row of perforations in an inwarddirection and having their inner ends terminating in spaced relation,whereby a bond is provided between the adjacent ends of the slits, saidslits providing means whereby a fingernail may readily be inserted undera portion of the front wall of the envelope to facilitate grasping itand tearing it along the rows of 'perforations thereby to open theenvelope.

A further object is to provide an envelope having a cord embodied in theconstruction of one end thereof, one end of which protrudes from theenvelope, whereby it may begrasped by the fingers and pulled outwardlyto thereby sever the paper for the purpose of opening one end of theenvelope.

Other objects of the invention will appear 4 ing drawing and will bepointed out in the annexed claim.

In the accompanying drawing there has been disclosed a structuredesigned to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is tobe understood that the invention is not confined to the exact featuresshown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

In the drawing:

Figure l shows a front view of an envelope with the invention embodiedtherein;

Figure 2 is a detail view showing the envelope partially opened inaccordance with the invention;

from the following description and accompany--A 2s, 1935, 'serial No.41,790

Figure 3 is a view showing a modified construction whereina cord isembodied in the construction of the envelope;

Figure 4 is a view partially `broken away to show the preferred mannerof securing the cord in position Within the envelope; and

Figure 5 is a view showing a construction wherein a portion of each rowof perforations is also scored to further weaken the paper.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown, there isillustrated in Figure 1, for purposes of disclosure, an envelopeconstructed of a single blank, in the usual well-known'manner, andcomprising a front 2 and flaps 3, 4, and 5, folded inwardly and suitablysecured together to-provide the back of the envelope, and having a flap6 for closing and sealing the envelope.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the provisionof means whereby the operation of opening the envelope to remove itscontents, is facilitated. In Figure 1, I have shown the front wallprovided with two rows of perforations l and 8, extending from thebottom to the top of the envelope adjacent one end thereof. Slits 9 andIl are provided at the upper end of the envelope at the ends of the rowsof perforations I and 8. These slits are shown curving inwardly and havetheir inner ends terminating in spaced relation to provide a bond l2, orunslitted portion which connects the portion of the front wall disposedbetween the rows of perforations 'i and 8 and the slits Q and il, andthe portion of the front wall of the envelope above the slits 9 and ii.

Another important feature resides in angularly disposing the rows ofperforations with respect to one another, as shown in Figure l. By thusarranging the two rows of perforations, when a fingernail is insertedthrough one of the slits 9 or in, and the bond |2is torn or severed, thepaper may readily be grasped by the fingers and torn downwardly alongthe rows of perforations, as shown in Figure 2, until the portion i3-iscompletely removed from the envelope, after which the contents mayreadily be removed from the envelope.

I have found that if the rows of perforations are arranged in parallelrelation, the paper does not always tear along the rows of perforations,which, obviously, is objectionable. To cause the paper to tear along therows of perforations, when a pull is exerted on the wider end of theportion I3, it is necessary that the rows of perforations be angularlydisposed, as herein disclosed.

Otherwise, the tears have a tendency to run oil' at an angle from therows of perfol'ations.

In Figures 1 Aand 2, I have shov-fn the row of perforations, indicatedby the numeral 8. as being disposed in substantially parallel relationto the right-hand edge of the envelope, while the row of perforations 'Iis angularly disposed with respect thereto. It is to be understood thatthe rows of perforations need not be arranged in the identical mannershown, that is, with the row 1 arranged in parallel relation to theadjacent edge of the envelope, as they may be symmetrically disposedwith respect to the centerline of the portion I3, without, in any way,aifecting the tearing action of the paper, it being necessary, however,that they be angularly disposed with respect to one another, ashereinbefore stated.

The slits 9 and II, provided at the upper end.v

of the portion I3 are also important in that they provide means wherebya iingernail may readily be inserted beneath the portion I3 to start thetearing operation. The bond I2 prevents the slits from opening up, andfunctions to keep the envelope substantially completely sealed when theenvelope is in its normal condition, as shown in Figure 1.

In actual use, a postage stamp may be placed over the upper ends of therows of perforations substantially as indicated by the dotted-lines I4in Figure 1, so that when the portion I3 is removed, the stamp may beremoved therewith.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a. form in which a small cord I5 is insertedinto one end of the envelope during the construction thereof, whereby itis normally concealed within the envelope, with the exception of the endportion I6 thereof, which normally projects from an upper corner of theenvelope, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3. The opposite end portionI1 of the cord or string I5 is secured between the flaps 5 and l, asshown in Figure 4.

To open the envelope, illustrated in Figures :iI and 4, the end portionI6 of the cord I5 is grasped with the fingers and pulled outwardly, asindicated by the dotted lines in Figure 3, whereby the paper is torn orsevered along the end of the envelope to thereby permit the contents tobe readily removed therefrom.

Figure 5 illustrates another form wherein'rows of perforations I9 and 20are provided in the front wall of the envelope, the upper portion ofwhich are scored as shown at 2l and 22, for a distance extendingsubstantially half the length of each row. These score marks cooperatewith the perforations to weaken the paper, even though comparativelyheavy, may readily be torn along the rows I9 and 20 to open theenvelope.

The novel means herein disclosed for facilitating thevopening ofenvelopes is very simple and does not materially increase the cost ofmanufacturing the envelope. The rows of perforations 1 and 8 and slitsSand II may readily be made at one operation in the blank before thelatter is folded to provide the completed envelope. Perforating andslitting the paper, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, does not, in any way,interfere with the normal use of the envelope, as the paper hassuiilcient strength along the rows of perforations to prevent it fromaccidentally tearing when in normal use. The same applies to the formshown in Figures 3 and 4. In the form here shown, it may be necessary tosecure the upper end of the cord I5 to the body of the envelope with asmall quantity of gum, as indicated at I8v in Figure 4, so that the cordwill be held in position when the envelope is open and before it hasbeen sealed.

I claim as my invention:

An envelope of the character set forth having the front wall thereofprovided with converging perforated lines defining a tear portion, saidtear portion being located adjacent the end ofthe front wall where thepostage stamp is normally positioned and including the portion receivingthe stamp, said tear portion extending transversely across said frontwall to a point adjacent the bottom edge of the envelope, and theportion above said stamp being formed with arcuate slits having a tieweb separating said slits to form a bond to retain said slitted portionin sealing position.

ADDISON LEWIS.

